Jackson jurors to hear testimony about five boys

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Michael Jackson's child molestation trial heads into a critical
phase as jurors are set to hear of five more boys, including two
Australians and actor Macaulay Culkin, the superstar allegedly
molested in the past.

Testimony in the prior cases is due to start on Monday and could
be devastating to the defence as prosecutors seek to demonstrate
that the "King of Pop" had a history of abusing young children.

The defence insists the prosecutors are bringing in witnesses to
the prior accusations because they failed to make a strong case of
their charges that Jackson fondled a 13-year-old boy two years
ago.

The prosecution will only bring one of the five alleged victims
to the witness stand, though their mothers will testify in some
cases.

The son of a former maid at Jackson's fantasy-themed Neverland
Ranch will testify that Jackson groped him three times, including
once when the star put his hands in the boy's pants in 1990,
according to the prosecution.

The boy and his mother got $US2 million ($2.59 million) from
Jackson in an out-of-court settlement.

Another alleged victim received a $US20 million ($25.9 million)
settlement after he claimed Jackson abused him in 1993. Relatives
say he has no intention of testifying.

Prosecutor Tom Sneddon has said others will tell the jurors they
saw the boy in bed with Jackson, with their underwear on the
floor.

Jackson's lead lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, has pointed out that
Home Alone star Culkin has denied he was ever abused. Former
Neverland employees are due to testify that he was.

Two Australians, including one who once worked as Britney
Spears' choreographer, are among those Jackson allegedly molested
in the past.

Neither Wade Robson, the Hollywood-based choreographer, or
Melburnian Brett Barnes, a former "special friend" of Jackson, are
expected to be be called to give evidence.

The jurors have not yet been told they would hear the five
earlier cases, but witnesses did make references on Friday to the
boy who won a $US20 million settlement from Jackson.

Lawyer Larry Feldman told jurors he represented the 1993 accuser
in a civil trial against Jackson involving seven claims of "sexual
molestation". He said that case "was absolutely resolved in (the
boy's) favour".

Jurors were shown a photograph of that accuser, who looked
strikingly similar to the alleged victim in the current case. Both
were 13 years old at the time they claim Jackson sexually molested
them.

Legal analysts believe testimony in the prior cases could mark a
turning point in the trial.

"On Monday, the district attorney is going to come out with the
heavy guns," said legal analyst Jim Hammer.

"If the jury believes that evidence, the DA is well on the way
to getting a conviction," he said.

California adopted in 1995 a law to allow evidence of past
behaviour in child molestation and domestic violence cases.

Jackson, who faces up to 20 years behind bars if convicted, has
denied all 10 charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy at
Neverland, plied him with alcohol and conspired to hold him and his
family against their will in a bid to force them to clear his
name.

The defence team insists the family raised the accusations in a
bid to make millions of dollars out of the superstar. Mesereau has
repeatedly pointed out the alleged victim had five more years to
file a civil suit, which he is certain of winning if Jackson is
convicted at the criminal trial.

The Jackson Five

- Macaulay Culkin: Former child actor who starred in
Home Alone. He is the godfather to Jackson's son Prince
Jackson and daughter Paris. The now 24-year-old has denied Jackson
ever molested him, though others claim to have witnessed the
abuse.

- 22-year-old Australian Wade Robson: Former Britney
Spears choreographer, who first slept in Jackson's bedroom at age
five. He met Jackson after winning a dance competition in Brisbane
in 1987.

- 23-year-old Australian Brett Barnes: He says he slept
in the same bed with Jackson at age 11 but denies any abuse. For
two years in the early 1990s he was often seen with Jackson.

- The son of a former Neverland maid: He will be the only
one among the five alleged victims who will testify. He says
Jackson molested him three times in 1990, according to the
prosecution. He and his mother won a $US2 million ($2.59 million)
settlement from Jackson in 1994. He is now 23.

- A 24-year-old man: He got a $US20 million ($25.9
million) payoff from Jackson after claiming the superstar molested
him in 1993. His relatives say he is out of the country. He
allegedly was seen in bed with Jackson, their underwear on the
floor.